Endoscopic vein harvest cuts wound complications but lowers primary patency

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 retrospective cohort studies totaling 12,401 patients compared endoscopic (EVH) versus open (OVH) great saphenous vein harvesting for lower extremity arterial bypass. The analysis found EVH associated with higher risk of primary patency loss and a borderline longer operative time, but significantly lower wound complications, with no differences in secondary patency, limb salvage, major amputation, or mortality; the patency disadvantage appeared driven by studies published before 2015, though the interaction test was not significant.

Most relevant for: Patients with peripheral artery disease undergoing lower extremity arterial bypass requiring vein harvest planning.

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